Tongs



Dec. 22, 1931. 1 F. BAAsl-l ET AL TONGS F;iled March 18 1930 7 n4 z Qq..

Patented Dec. 224,1931 i Y i UNITED STATI-:s1 PA*T1-:NT".oFlfiC-E-f-f Tones t Application led March v18, 1930. Serial No. 436,693.

This invention relates to tools and relates A further object ofthe invention'is to pro- Amore particularly to wrenches or tongs useful vide a tool of the character mentioned in forhandling pipe, casing, and like objects. which the gripping element is automatic'ally'y Y M Various types and ormsof tongs have been returned to a normal unactuatedv position- '5 suggested and employed for handling pipe, upon the actuating forcevbeing released. i 55,-

-tubing, casing, etc. The tongs most generally `A further object of the invention is to proemployed for handling casingiand theslike, 4vide tongs embodying a gripping-element at embody an operating handle or lever and the head ofthe tool and a toggle mechanism means at one end of the lever for gripping oarriedbythe handle ofthe tool for operatr :y the casing.` The gripping means or parts of ing' the' gripping element. y f I the usual tongs extend around the'casing and Another object ofthe invention isito pro-v areconnected with" the handle` at .spaced vde a tool of the character just mentioned inV points to be operable into gripping or holding which the toggle mechanism is adapted to be engagement withlthe casing through leverage directly actuated by a line connected With the gained at the connection with the handle. tool to turn it. f f This type of tongs has certain characteristics Another obJect of the invention is to prolimiting its `eii'e'ctive'ness and practicability. Vldee tool of hheohel'eotel meiltoledtht S For example, the leverage that can be ob- P`'1` 1Cl}1aI1-y--Sin rdy i1n Construction I andi i i tained for operating the gripping parts is which isjcapable ofwithstanding hard usage; limited by the size and strength of `the parts .Another obJeCt of the' invention* iste pro# 70' at the lconnection between the gripping parts' Vlde 2L 41901 0f Cho-"Character mentioned hav# and the end of the handle. When these parts 111g gvllpplng elementor aw and 21.111801121- are made suiiiciently strong to withstand mem fol opeltlhg the] eW mOUIlted S0 'that' i heavy strains, they are so large that they can they are Pfoteoted ,and are hot readily damnot be related to theilever'in amanner to eged- 1 gain the desired leverage. The usual tongs .Another ohleot of the lhvehtlohle t0,1)10- therefore are a compromise between sizev and Vlde .tongs 0f the Character mentionedI emstrength on the one hand and leverage or hodylhg lmPIOVol moans for operatlnga mechanical action on the otherhand. gI'lPPlIlg element OI jaw. l f Y Y Y so A general Object of the present invention :Other obJects and: features of vour inven-I 80- is to provide improved tongsl for handling 151011 'Wlh he heS endmol'oflllly'nnderstood pipe, Casing, em,- Operabie 13o grip an Object from the following detailed description of` av effectively and with great force. ghyploal form and aPPlloaftloh of they lhVeI1' Anothervobject of the invention is to prohloh, throughout Whloh.deSe-lPl10Il`Tefelelle" vide a tool of the character mentioned that is Will he had tothe accompahyvlhg,drewlhgsam 35i. of simple, sturdy and well balancedconstruc-y Whloh? l 2 l tion and which embodies but few parts. VF 1g- 11S af Sldo eleYaftlohfof ther tool PIO" Y It is anotherobj ect of the invention to pro` Yded by the, Present lhvohhloh hehg e .Tv-"10W vide tongs which are wellbalanced and which luhstetlhg theV i7001v e'ehgod around ,e Ces-- The mechanism for operatingthe gripping Elg- 3 1S a# lohglhhfhheh detailed Sectional element'of the tongs is carried so that it op- WoW of the tool* [F15-ZI; .4 1553,11 ohle edflolklf erates to counterbalance the head or pipe englthhhelf detalle@ Sootlohel. V1eW off e head circlingportion of the tool. Polftoll'of the tool; and Fig.- 5' 1S ,a` detailed: y

i0 Another object of the invention is to protranversesectlond View' .teken aS lhdolied 95' vide tongs that embody a gripping element by hhe 55- oh Flgyth V n or jaw operated into gripping engagement 'In eeoldehee Wilth thefhIoedeI'eSPeCtS 0f with an object bythe same force or pull'that theinvenbon thei COIlStIlCOnFpovidcd by v r is employed for operating the tooltofrotate'or our'inventionf` is' applicable to or zcapablej of' lo turn the object handled by the tool. 4embodimenty in wrenches or tongs" of vari?` 10o are particularly easy to handle and operate hgf' i Fg- 2 se'tolo 01 Plan View of thetohge 9'0 `ous vtypes intended for various purposes.

Throughout the following disclosure we will describe the invention as embodied lntongs particularly suitedV for handling comparatively large objects such as large pipe or casing, say for instance well easing.A a It is to be understood, however, that the invention isnot to be Vconstrued as limited to the particular form of the invention about to be described, l but is to lbetaken asY including any fezituresj that may fall Within the scope of the claims?.`

The embodiment l of our invention illus-7 trated in the drawings includes, generally, "a"

' head .10, a gripping element 11 included in or.

carried by the head 10, a leveror handle 12', means; liforfoperating the gripping element `11, andlm'eans 111 for automatically returning the gripping element 11 to its normal position atterl actuation. .f I.

The head- 10 is inthe` nature .of-a work or casing-encircling lmeans` and isi .the active or workingl 'portiony of theatool.` :-The head; mayy beY designed andproportioned tol ac "cornmo-` datel 1objects of various sizesgand-,fshapes.

. Throughouty the drawings weliave illustrated a: singlesimp'le form of head -10 which embraces or: eneircles lay casing, P. Y, Thek particular head 10illustrated in theVV drawings`,1n

Y. cludes generally an inner or main part 15 and 30-v an outer part Vor gate 16. y

@The mainor inner part 15l o t the head, in 'thepreferred form ,ofgthei invention, lcarries the grippingelementll The inner part-.l5 of the Vheadissubstantially U-shaped, having i. two spacedside parts* 1 7 and- `18, f between which there .is an openingorrecess 19. The opening 19 visprovided tocarry the grippingY element 1.1,andf its sidewalls-20, which are the inner sides of the partslf and18, are made parallelV and suchas to slidably carry the element 1-1. rlhe inner end of theopening 19 maylbezrounded or curved as lshown throughout-the drawings. The outer part or gate 16 of the head 10 is -Y in-theV nature of a closure means for the opening19, TheV gate 1 6 is provided to 'hold or retainthe casing P in 4the toolf in positionl to be engaged by the? gripping element 11.V` The gate-16 illustratedv is Ai'nfthe `form of Va single rigidfmember pivoted tothe inner part 15' oi Vthe head l0. In the drawings we have shown- -onefend of the. frate, 1 6 pivotally attached to Athe outer end of the/sidev parte17 of the head 10.fe.'1`he gate16may.be pivotally connected withthe; side part 17 by al suitable bolt or pivot pinV 22; In accordanceawith the pre'- `ferredform of the inventioninean's is; pro- Yvidedfor releas'ably'holdingA or Ylatching the gate 1'6 gin-the closed positionaroundfthe casing P..` .v A latch23` may vbe .pivotallycarried at the outer end of side part 18 ofthe head 10 to'` cooperate with 'lug 24 on lthe outer or free end. of the .gate-16.1 VThe 1atch..23may be piv'otallyconnected with thegside part A18 by a ,pivotpin 25.,v The latch 23 may beY normally yieldingly held by a spring 2.6sov that it is in position where it cooperates withvthe lug 24. The latch 23 and the lug 2&1 may be proportioned and vrela-ted so that tiey latch vautomatically catches the lug'24 to. hold. .the

into a closed position around the casing P.

. The inner side 27 of the gate 16 is shaped to eifectively engage. around the casing P or object handled-by the tool. In the particular .gate inthe closed position whenit is swung Y case-illustrated the inner side 27 of the gate `is curved to correspond to the external con-y iiguration of thev casing P. Gripping partsV in theJ form of replaceable dies 28 may be provided"onthe inner side 27 of the gate. The

dies 28 may be reinovablyfsecured inrecessesv inthe inner side` 27 by'suitablescrews29-f11v i suitable handle 30l may beprovided on the.

outer side of the gate 16;

lThe gripping element 11 is in the nature vra5 ofa jaw carriedby the head 10. :In the riorm,V

otthe invention disclosed the element 111 is carried by the inner vpart 15 4ofthe head. The Y Y grippngrelement or jaw 11is slidably car riedin the opening 19 of the inner Ypart 15- ing -19i and to effective-ly Y ,ellglfge' or grip-'the pip'eP.'r The element'll may be afsiinple vuni; tary part, The -jaw or gripping .element 1f1` is provided with parallel vsidesl Which slid ably engage the oppositeside walls 2O of the f opening 19 andihas-a' roundedrouter'; end to and is operable by thellleanslintogripj Y ping. engagement with thepipe P. vThejaw-' 11 is shaped toeffectiveiy operate in the openf4 f dovetailed keys orfguides 35 may beprovidedv in the guideways 34 to slidab-ly it inlreyways` or grooves 36. in the gripping.,element11.

The outer' oractive endj of the'gripping ele'- ment K1-1 is made to conform to the configuration of the obj ect being handledybyhthe tool,

in the particular easeshownitis'rounded or,r

inadeeoncavefto; conform. tothe exterior of thecasmg P. Replaceable grippingvdies '37 may beprovided' atvth'e activeend of the grip.-V

ping elementll tol engage-the pipe Y.. n In accordance with'the preferred embodiment ofthe linvention means is provided Vonl the gripping element 11 for initially resisting relative *rotationV betweenK Athe tool Vand Ythe casing P to `insu-re gripping engagementmbev `tween.the/"element 11 and the pipe P when the tool isjinitially operated.; We have showna pipe engaging.l member l1 0.pivota'lly mounted;y in a sooketer recess 4.1; :in the active end-ofA nected with element 11.1` For.instance,'itmay the grippingelement `11. .The memberf40tis pivotally supported at one 'of its endsV and is provided at its outer side' with gripping parts or teeth to engagethe exteriorof the casing P. rllhe member 40v is positioned where `its free or outer end normally Vprojects beyond the 'active end of the element 11. A springV 42'may be provided to yieldingly urge the member V40 into gripping engagement with the casing P. 1

'The handle 12 carries the means 13 for operating the gripping element V11 and isf preferably-provided on or rigidly attached to the part ofthe head 10 which carries the element 11. The handle 12 may be formed integral with .the inner part 15 of the head as shown inthe drawings. The handle 12is preferably made comparatively long and projects outwardly or rearwardlyfrom the inner part115 ofthe head.v lThe outer portion of the handle 12 is yoked for a considerable diss tanc'eto provi-de a transverse.I opening or space 45 for carrying the means 13e A lug is provided at the outer end ofthe handle 12 and has an opening to carry a return line 47. The means 13 for operating the elementll into gripping engagement with the casing PVV is carried by the handle'12and is-adapted to be operated direct-lyby an operating line 487 for operating orA turning the entire tool-1, The

actuating means13 is preferably in the na ture of lever or toggle .means In the case illustrated it includes two pivotally connected links; a link pivotedto the handle 12, and

a link 51 connected withthe gripping element 11. The links 50 `and 51'are pivotally connected together and are arranged substantially longitudinally inthe space 45 of the yoked portion of the handle 12. The

outer end ofthe outer link 50 is'iconnected to link 51 is providedfwith a tongue 55A which,

extends into vt-he yoked portion of the link 50 where it is held by the pivot pin 54..: The

inner end of the link 51 is pivotally'eonnected to a rod 56 which forms aV stem. onV the ele-` ment V1l. w

In the case illustratedithestem ofthe element 11v isformed of two sections, an outer section 57 of comparatively'large diameter slidable in an'opening58 in ,the handle 12, and an inner section 59 ofreduced diameter slidable in an opening 60 in the innerV part 15 of the head.. The inner section i59may be screw threaded into a socket 59a in the end of the section 57. The link V51 may be securedtoy the outer endof the section 57 by a suitable pivot pin 61. :The end ofthe section 59 eX-` tends into the opening 19 .Where it'is'- conbe 'pro'videdwithn a reducedpinly portion.v 62 fitting. an opening in the grip-ping element 11; The pinV 62 may be secured in the opening by a removable locking pin 63; The length of the stem may bei-:varied by meansof the screw. thread connection between the -sections l.57

and 59r to vary the: an'gularit'yof the links 50' and 51 sojthat the leverage lof` the linksmay be adjusted.4 'The'pin 63 may be removed .to` i permit the adjustment of the section 59.

The actuating line 48may be operatively connected witheither the llink 50S or the link 51 in any suitable manner. I In the particular case illustrated the line 48 is connected with j the link 50 .opposite or adjacent Vthelpoint ofpivotal connection 'ofthe links 50` 'and 51. Y

The liner48 is'shown` extending through anV opening ina lug 64 projecting from one side of the link 50. The links 50 and 51and the stem or rod 56 are proportioned and related so that when'the gripping element'll Vis inl.

the junactuated or normal position the links 50 and `51l are vbuckled orproject `outwardly in one direction vfrom the center'of the handle 12. Whena pull is applied to fthelinef48 tendingto-draw the links 50 and 51 inwardly into valignment with-the rody 56 or the center! of the handle, the gripping' element 1l is;

forced into grippingengagement with the pipeP. W lnV accordance with thepresentlinvention means is provided for limiting theinwardlf movement ofthed links 50 and 51 and for pre-,fy ,n venting the links 50 and'51.-fro'm.assuming` a' positionvvhere they are intr-ue axial alignmentwith the rod 56. 'Wehaveshown thi's'fl means in the form of a stop provided on the rod' 56 to limit theinward` movement of' i the rod relative to the handle.' VThe stopjj.70v m5 may be in the form of a collar sc rewthreaded on the rod v56 adapted to engage the handle at'the inner end of'the'opening V45 to limit the movement ofthe rod. The stop 70 is posi-1 tionedwhere it prevents the links from beingV operated toa dead center position'wherethey cannot be returned by the return Vmeans14.v

The action of the tool .can be varied or ad-l justed by adjusting changing. the position of thestop collar 70 on the rodV 56.l y The means 14 is provided: to return Evthe after actuation.

the form of spring means "actingV through the f rod 56. The means 14 may include a helicalspring 71,1 arranged in theopening 58 and surrounding the'section 59 of the rod- 56.- The spring 71 isV arranged between the inner end v of the section 57 of the rod and the inner endofthe opening l58..V The' spring 71 is compressed upon actuationvof the means 13 so wardly on-the section 57j of the rod 'toretur'n the gripping element 11fandf' the links50`fand 136 1 Y 51 to their normal unactuated positions.

`that upon release ofthe means itact'sfoutf` Y l 'ne gripping element 11 andl thev parts ofthe actuating means 13 to theirnormal positionsy The means 14 may be fin in ,theffQrm ofthe imentioniiiusmted 1 means-isf providedy for suspending: the 1tool.l

An; eyey Vbolt 7 2` projects upwardly `from 'the upper side ofthe tool'. I`hebolt72is1 adapted to receive 'a line orsu'pport for carrying thek tongs. Y,

It is believedythat the various features of Y ourprese'nt invention vwill be readily appar,-v

ent fromr'the foregoing detailed description.

`The type'oif. tongs described above are particularlyadapted for use in afwellA derrick for 'handling Well casing,ldrilll pipe, etc.

When'the gate 16 isclosed. about the casing Pv the operating jli-ne48 may be actuated to tend .tofshift the'links '50, andV 51 tofthe in vpiositioiila'nd tozoperate'the gripping element 11intoitight-gripping engagement with thek pipe PL A continued strain or pull von the line 48rafterfa1ctuationof the gripping element11 will cause Arotation or turning of the ,tooli and the Vcasing'l. The 'line 47 may be VYemployed to return Vthe toolto its normal position 'after use- It is to be noted that theVv inventionVprovidestongsin whicha pipe, or thelike, maybet-i-ghtly gripped lfor rotation Y ingla toggle meanscauses the gripping ele*- the/'art or. fall Within-fthescope of the follow? Y f f Y 5' connected with theijaw... Havingdescri'bed nur ginvention, we claim: Y if i r1.- longsfofthe character: described includ- Y cling an'obje'ct, a gripping element. slidably ment to: be forced intogripping engagement withfthe casing'with great force. The` shape ofthe-gripping element'issuch that thisforce isdfi'stributedon the casing so that the casing isnot crushedfor dented. Y

l The parts ofthe-t0olV may bey proportioned and related sothatthe gripping elementhas a substantialzrange ofA movement so that `the toolz'is adaptedtohandle objects varyingconsiderablyin size. Y

Having jdescribedonly a typicalpreferred form of: our.' invention, we do not wish to limit ourselves to therspecificdetails set torth, butV wish -toareserve Ltov ourselvesany changes or variations that mayappear tothose skilled in iner @lili-msi ing, 'a lever, ahead VonY the 'lever forA encircarried` by the head', and means on the'lever ahsubjstantial distance yfrom the-'headV fork Operating the gripping element from a line Vfor roperatingAthetool includingtwo pivot- Vall)7 connected links to .be-operated by the` `line,`o nel inl being lconnected with the lever,

2.. A'tool of the character-fldescribed in. cluding, pipe encircling means, a handle,l av gripping elementslidably carried by thejsaid' means, and means for operating the gripping element .including 4a, lrod connectedjwith the element and slidable inthe handle, and two pivotally connected links in an opening in the handle, one link being pivotally. mounted' on the handle, the kother link being c on'-y nected to the rod.

3, rFongs of the character described including, an object encircling element, a handle, a gripping jaw `carried bythe element', a rod projecting from Vthe j'a- W-andslidable in an opening inthe handle, the handle being yoked lat the end of said'opening, andmeans Vfor vop-v Y erating the `jaw including, two pivotally con w Y nectedv links carried Vin/the'yoked part ofthe handle, one linkbeing pivotally Vsupported byl the handle, theothe'r'link being connected to n At'. Tongs of the character described includ-V ing, an oblectA .encircling element'a handle, a.y gripping jawcarried by the element, a .rod

projecting from' the jaw and'slidable'in an opening in the hanche, the v'handle being .5. rTongsof the character describedincludvyoked at'the end: of said op`ening,'ineans for n operating th'erjaw including two pivotallyV ing, an object-encircling elenient,.a` handle, Y

a gripping jaw carried'by the element, a rod projecting from thexjaw and slidable inV an opening in the handle,I the'handle being yoked at ,the end of said openingnieans for "i operating the aw including two pivotally connected links carriedin the yoked portion of the handle and connectedwithjthe rod, land* a spring inthe s'aidfopening jaw afteractu'ation. Y, f.

16. Tongs'includi'ng a pipe encircling head,v a handle projecting from thel head", a grippinglj aw carried by the head for gripping a pipe, and Ymeans for operating 'the jaw directly by the force forr turning the' tongs for returning the Y including a pair of pivotally connected links on the handle at -ay pointa substantial'disf tance .fromthe head, vone of the links being j pivoted tov the handleand the other being n 7 .Tongs includingfa pipe encircling head, i'

a handleproje'cting from. the head,"afV grip`v pingj aw carried bythe head'forigripping'a pipe, and meansV for operating the jaw directly ,by the force for turning the 'tongs-including a ypair of-pivotally connectedlinks'on Y 1 fOr. receiving fa. tong Operatingmemberfi 8. Tongs including, an object encircling head, a handle projecting from the head, a gripping jaw slidable in the head, a rod projecting from the jaw and slidable in an opening in the handle, and means for operating 4the jaw includng-two pivotally connected head, a handle projecting from the "head, a

gripping jaW slidable in the head, a rod pro jecting from the jaw and slidable in an opening in the handle,ladjustable stop means on the rod for limiting movement of the jaw, and means for operating the jaw including two pivotally connected links in an opening' in the handle and projecting therefrom for connection YWith an operating means, one of the links being pivoted to the handle, the other being'pivotally connected With the rod.

In Witness that We claim the foregoing We t have hereunto subscribed our names this 14th day of March, 1930.

LAWRENCE F. BAASH. WILLIAM H. MAXWELL. 

